Gifted & Talented
Gifted and Talented Students
Gifted and talented students are those students between the ages of four and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Gifted students include students with disabilities (i.e. twice exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior.
To better understand the difference between a gifted learner, a high achiever and a critical thinker click here.
If you have a student who has been identified as gifted and you would like some tips on how to talk to them, click here.
Discovery Programing:
Discovery Program is designed to meet the needs of gifted elementary school students (2nd to 6th grade) who require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from the regular school programming. A Discovery Program is located at Renaissance ELOB as well as other District elementary schools. Please visit the District website for identification and application information located under the "Discovery Program" tab.
Coordinator, Gifted Education
Misty's Phone: 303-387-0145
620 Wilcox Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
District Gifted Education Phone: 303-387-0191
https://www.dcsdk12.org/gifted-education
Resources:
Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented
National Association for Gifted Children
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page
Douglas County Association of Gifted and Talented (DCAGT)
Social-Emotional Resources:
Social-Emotional resources for parents and students:
Gifted Challenges BlogSpot: Dr. Post is a Clinical Psychologist, with over 30 years of experience. Advocating for the gifted learners by offering resources and tips to gifted adults, parents of gifted children, teaching professionals, mental health professionals, and parent advocacy groups.
SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted ): a nonprofit group that empowers families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals: intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. SENG provides various articles, resources, conferences and online groups.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): not GT-specific, but does have great support groups, conferences, etc.
Gifted Haven (an online forum for young people)
"Mellow Out" They Say. If I Only Could. Intensities and Sensitivities of the Young and Bright by Michael Piechowski
The Smart Teens Guide to Living With Intensity by Lisa Rivero
Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults by James Webb, Edward Amend, Nadia Webb, Jean Goerss, Paul Beljan and Richard Olench
Twice-Exceptional Students
Twice-exceptional students are those students who are identified as gifted and talented in one or more areas of exceptionality (specific academics, general intellectual ability, creativity, leadership, visual or performing arts);
AND ALSO identified with:
A disability defined by Federal/State eligibility criteria: specific emotional learning disability, significant identifiable disability, physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, autism, or ADHD. The disability qualifies the student for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan. Please visit the Douglas County School District site for more information located in the "Special Education" site.
https://www.dcsdk12.org/special-education
Resources:
CDE Twice Exceptional Resource Guide
Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity
Gifted and Talented Testing
http://www.coloradogifted.org/gifted-and-talented-testing
The Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented fosters an understanding of all gifted children and their exceptional needs, and advocates for appropriate education and affective support through partnerships with educators, families, students, administrators, legislators, and the general public.